From the nine times I’ve been to Burning Man, everything you need for the burn is below.

The 10 Principles

Most importantly and before anything, read the The 10 Principles of Burning Man.

Transportation

Don’t drive. Take The Burner Express Bus (BxB) with the Bike + Water + Extra Luggage Add-ons . The desert (aka playa) has broken more cars down than I can count, leaving people in dire straights. Getting to and from Burning Man (especially with others) is 90% of the overall work/effort/stress unless you TAKE THE BURNER EXPRESS BUS. Among its many benefits, The BxB also skips all lines, saving you up to 10 hours (really) of waiting to get in/out of the playa. Given the BxB’s baggage allowance, you’ll just have to pack minimally - per The List below.

Accommodations

Don’t sleep in a tent. In order of preference, use a ShiftPod Mini > Hexayurt > Campervan (if you insist on driving, contrary to my aforementioned recommendation not to drive). Anything else with its needed additional shade structure is just far too complicated to set up, securely fasten and to regulate the temperature inside of. The BxB has allowed the ShiftPod Mini (80 linear inches) with the purchase of an extra “Bus & Extra Luggage” ticket for each way (regardless of from/to SF/Reno/BRC). The BxB doesn’t allow a Hexayurt, so you’d have to get resourceful to have that brought to the playa for you. My ultimate recommendation is to use a ShiftPod Mini with Aluminet Shade (drops ~10° F) on top and a couple of beach balls squeezed in-between the ShiftPod Mini roof and the Aluminet (drops another ~5° F with extra air space insulation), attached to rope and fixed into the ground with 12” heavy-duty stakes with reflective mylar pieces attached for nighttime visibility. A MightyKool Model K2 Swamp Cooler (drops another ~10° F) transported inside of a collapsible padded bag is critical for the inside, powered by a Jackery 300 for up to seven nights/mornings. This is all for easy, safe and comfortable shelter in the playa’s extreme weather conditions of ~30° F to ~100° F temperature with up to 70 mph wind.

The List

ShiftPod Mini (see Accommodations above)
Aluminet Shade (see Accommodations above)
Beach Balls (see Accommodations above)
Rope (see Accommodations above)
Heavy-duty Stakes (12”) (see Accommodations above)
Reflective Mylar (see Accommodations above)
MightyKool Model K2 Swamp Cooler with collapsible padded bag (see Accommodations above)
Jackery 300 (see Accommodations above)
Comfortable Clothes with many quality Wool Socks (M & W), Wool Bottom Layers (M & W), Wool Top Layers (M & W) and a Wool Beanie
Comfortable Waterproof Closed-toe Shoes (M & W)
Breathable Waterproof Jacket (M & W), Breathable Waterproof Pants (M & W) and Waterproof Shoe Covers
Non-perishable Nutritious Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (e.g. Ben’s Original Rice with Tuna/Chicken/Salmon Creations & Miracle Noodle)
Cooking Pots and Stove with a few Gas Cans to cook/eat food in/from
Snacks, snacks, snacks, snacks, snacks, snacks and more snacks because you'll just need them
Water Bags to store and carry your water (from the BxB)
Water Bag to store your daily water source on the go
Water Bottle to easily drink your water from
Zero Degree Sleeping Bag of good quality for extreme temperatures
Sleeping Pad for an extra layer of comfort and protection against the playa
Pillow
Eye Mask
Ear Plugs to be able to sleep with the 24/7 noise
Melatonin to help you sleep
Body & Face Sunscreen cause the sun is always glaring
Spray Body Sunscreen cause you'll not always have someone to do your back
SPF Chapstick cause your lips burn too
Breathable Bucket Hat to shade yo dome piece
Sun Scarf to protect yo neck and shoulders from the sun
Polarized Sunglasses
Tinted Googles and Clear Goggles to keep your eyes from cryin' from the dust during the day and night
First Aid Kit
Respirator & Filters to be able to breathe during the day with all the dust
Multi-colored Bandana's to not inhale dust but still match your outfit
Headlamp (rechargeable) to see at night
Mini Flashlight for those many times you're not wearing that dorky and annoying headlamp
Arm/Ankle Lights to not get run over by art cars
Finger Lights to party and as backup lights
Camping Lantern for inside your playa house
Single-Speed Cruiser Bicycle with fat tires for sand (multiple gears with playa dust are troublesome)
Bicycle Basket to carry all your stuff while biking
Bicycle Lock (without a key that you’d lose) to protect your bike from accidentally being ‘borrowed’
Bike Lights and Bike Wheel Lights to steer and to be visible to others (especially art cars) at night
Unique Bike Light Identifier (to identify your parked bike amongst a sea of bikes)
Backup Bike Wheel Light Batteries and Backup Bike Light & Arm/Ankle Light Batteries
Tire Tube as a backup for a flat
Duct Tape cause you can always use duct tape
Trash Bags to keep your trash/MOOP (although the BxB will provide these for you)
Primary Backpack to carry all the survival essentials
Secondary Mini Backpack for impromptu trips
Cup with a Carabiner to receive drinks in
ID printed in color on paper (or your actual ID) as you will get carded for free alcoholic drinks
Baby Wipes for your daily shower
Moist Toilet Wipes to wipe when it's chafed (vs. regular toilet paper)
PH Wipes to prevent Playa Foot (vs. using terrible-smelling vinegar), to counter the extreme alkalinity of the playa
Oxy Pads to clean that dirty face
Hand Sanitizer to keep germ-free
Insect Repellent and/or Mosquito Head Net just in case there are bugs (extremely rare)
Eye Drops to prevent your eyes from getting red from all the dust
Mouth Guards to prevent grinding your teeth
Anti-chafing Balm to prevent those thighs from hating each other
Lotion to keep your hands and body from cracking like the desert
Ear Plugs (invisible) for dat bass
Work Gloves (rubber) for building/take-down and to wash stuff as your hands will already be super dry
Magic Party Gloves to keep your hands warm and to delight others at night
Self-expression outfits and accessories
Your choice of Gift(s) to give to everyone as one of BM's 10 Principles
Memories > Pictures, but if you insist - a digital camera (no phones at the burn!)
Duffle Bag (62” linear)